George Henry Barker went to be with his Lord and
Savior and join his family and friends that were awaiting him there on January
23rd 2013.
George was born in a cabin on Main Street, in Conconnully Washington
May 10th 1920 to George E. Barker and Iva (Segle). George was the youngest of
three children. By the time George was 5 years old the family had moved to
the Entiat area where his parents owned and operated a logging camp. George Sr
was the "bull of the woods" and Iva ran the camp kitchen.
George's early years
were full of adventures and often included two of his best friends Suzie the
black bear and Teddy the dog.
Around 1933 George and his parents moved to Oroville Washington where
they began a dairy farm. "The Ranch" was a self sufficient farm where the family
was able to raise or grow just about everything they needed to see them through
the "Great Depression".
When George was a boy he had many adventures with family
and friends that included long trail rides, camping, hunting and fishing
throughout the north end of Okanogan County. George attended Oroville
Highschool, and was a member of the undefeated football team. During the war
years George worked in the ship yards in Bremerton, Washington where he learned
many valuable skills which he would later use in heavy construction throughout
the Okanogan Valley and in other states.
George met the love of his life,
Winnifred Haney (Rae, Minnesota daughter of Frank and Grace Haney) in 1944 on
April 29th at the Oroville roller skating rink. George and Winnie were married
that same year on June 16th. George and Winnie would have celebrated their 69th
annviversary this year. George was always up for a challenge and adventure
and that same year he won"1st money" in the bronc riding competition at the
Annual 4th of July Rodeo in Chesaw, Washington.
In the early years George and
Winnie lived and worked in Oroville, Washington they were blessed with four
children. During the Roosevelt "New Deal Era" George was a brave man who was
willing to take on hard work and travel. He was a member of the"Pile Drivers
Union" and was often called a "pile buck". He went on to many jobs, some of the
work included; Chief Joseph Dam, Rocky Reach Dam, and the Janis bridge.
While working on the Chief Joseph Dam George fell 60 feet into the white
water. George would tell the story of how he laid in the hospital and could hear
the doctors explaining what terrible shape his body was in and predicted he
would die. As he lay there near death George and his family cried out to God and
prayed for mercy and healing. George said he repented that day and promised God
he would change his ways if the Good Lord would let him live. God answered their
prayers and George kept his promise, from then on he did his best to walk with
Jesus.
George worked a variety of jobs. He was core driller, he worked for
Valley Evaporating Company, he owned his own security company "Okanogan
Security" and before retirement worked for Zosel Mill providing security . In
those years of security work, George could be found late at night patrolling the
Princes' parking lot, Zosel and many other places. George enjoyed the work and
always had a thermos of hot coffee and at least one dog along for the ride. George lived a full life and never wanted to slow down.
He loved his wife,
his children, grandchildren, his great grandchildren, his friends, and his pets.
He was known for his love of God and Country,
for his can do attitude, his passion for life, his poetry, and a never ending
willingness to begin a new adventure. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, shooting
guns, telling stories and jokes. His poetry was read on the local radio station
and often in his church the Oroville Assembly of God. He was known as the local
cowboy poet and had been writing poetry for at least thirty years. George loved
to have a good time with the people he loved.
George was a member of the Oroville Assembly
of God Church, and the National Rifle Association.
He was preceded in death by
his parents, Neal Barker (brother), Bertha Harden (sister), Mike Carter (son in
law). He is survived by his wife Winnifred, their children George E. Barker
(Oroville), Charlotte (Gus) Markel (Omak), James (Marlene) Barker
(Oroville), Hazel (Jason) Kurlovich (Keller), Thirteen grandchildren and
fourteen great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the
Oroville Assembly of God Church (623 Central Avenue) on February 9th at 2pm.